This piece outlines the steps every family can take before their student begins studying for the SAT or ACT, including how to build a realistic timeline with built-in flexibility and how to practice in a way that actually moves scores.

The University of California has accelerated its review of SAT and ACT requirements after mounting pressure from faculty, media, and former system leaders. Here's what the timeline means for students applying to UC and when testing requirements could return.

AI is changing the college admissions process. Students are using AI to brainstorm essays, research colleges, and organise applications as admissions offices are exploring how AI can improve behind-the-scenes efficiency.

Supplemental essays have always helped admissions officers understand the person behind the application. But in the age of AI, that job has become much harder as the challenge isn't simply writing well—it's knowing how to write a memorable college essay that gives admissions officers a reason to remember you.

Every admissions cycle brings a new set of headlines, but the real story is in the data. This year's numbers reveal how the admissions landscape is changing—and what families need to understand to prepare for it.

Several years into the test-optional era, a clearer picture has emerged. While many colleges remain test-optional, research and admissions outcomes suggest that standardised test scores continue to provide meaningful information about student preparedness and academic success.

UCAS answers stay focused on the chosen course; the US personal essay invites something broader and more reflective. For UK families, understanding that difference, and knowing each university's current rules on AI use, is the starting point for a genuinely authentic essay.

There is no American Russell Group: the US prestige set is an informal circle of roughly 25 to 50 institutions, about 1% of all degree-granting options. Here is what that means for UK families building a university list.

Downtime and boredom can be particularly useful for teenagers: although many, particularly students at high-achieving schools, can feel as though they need to fill their time with a wide range of activities, there are benefits to having down time, and even experiencing boredom.

AI is rapidly reshaping the job market, challenging long-standing assumptions about which academic paths lead to stability and strong career outcomes. While STEM and AI-related fields continue to grow, ROI varies, and personal fit, self-awareness, and transferable skills remain essential.